April 21, 2008

Athens, OH (UWIRE) -- A disappointing weekend in Michigan for the Bobcats ended on an even more disappointing note yesterday.

After taking a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh, the Bobcats dropped their fourth straight when Eastern Michigan rallied in the bottom half of the inning to take the game 3-2.

"That was a heartbreaker," coach Jill Matyuch said. "We played so well. It's tough to lose like that."

Ohio (18-19, 5-9 Mid-American Conference) struggled to score runs all weekend, as they were shut out twice and only scored five times in four games.

In the first game of Friday's doubleheader with Central Michigan (19-14, MAC 10-3), the Bobcats again struggled to score runners and stranded nine while falling to the Chippewas 2-0.

"I think we are doing a good job of moving runners," Matyuch said. "But when you get things going when you already have one or two outs, it's hard to score runs."

The Bobcats were in position to force a split in game two as they led late 3-2, but a two-run seventh-inning rally by Central Michigan gave the Chippewas a 4-3 win and a series sweep.

"They hit when they had to and they made plays when they had to," Candace Saucedo said. "We weren't able to make the plays we needed to make."

When the Bobcats arrived in Ypsilanti for a two game set with Eastern Michigan, they were quickly welcomed by an 8-0 loss.

First baseman Deanna Hartsough liked the way the team handled the adversity though.

"Even though we were down by eight, we kept coming back." Hartsough said. "Each inning we were coming to bat looking to hit."

The Bobcats looked to have broken out of the slump yesterday, but again had problems scoring runners. They had 12 hits and two walks, but only two baserunners crossed home plate.

Ohio hasn't been able to score much, but it has been doing a good job of putting the ball in play. In the four games this weekend, they only struck out 10 times and they only walked 10 times, forcing opposing fielders to make plays.

"I think Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan were able to make defensive plays when they had too," Hartsough said. "We hit the ball, but we hit right at them or they were able to make a great play."

(C) 2008 The Post via UWIRE